GLADYS J. WARD
STERLING — Gladys J. Ward, 74, died Sunday, September 26, 2004 at Coventry Village. She was a High School Science Teacher for 30 years, principal of Tampico High School, and owned and operated the Frame Shop in Sterling for many years where she also taught art classes.
Gladys was born in Sterling on May 12, 1930, the daughter of Harold and Gladys (Ryerson) Ward. She was a member of the D.A.R., O.E.S., I.S.E.A., Rock River Carvers and the Mayflower Society.
Survivors include a sister, Dorothy Rock of Sterling; three nieces, Sandra (John) Lewandowski of Indianapolis, Beth (Anthony) Fiorini of Rock Falls, Julie (Denny) Zink of Sterling; one sister-in-law, Betty Ward of Rock Falls; and several great nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents,one brother, Milton Ward and one niece Ellen Ward.
Graveside services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, September 30, 2004 at Oak Knoll Memorial Park with Reverend Roger Carlson, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park.
A memorial has been established.

TWILA R. BEHRENS
GALESBURG — Twila R. Behrens, 87, formerly of Sterling, died Friday, September 24, 2004 at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg, after an extended illness.
Twila Behrens was born October 5, 1916 in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Fred and Mabel (Mensch) Shaw. She married Mason E. Behrens on May 16, 1943 in Sterling and assisted him for many years with Behrens Mortuary. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2000. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sterling and Church Circle. She enjoyed family and church friends.
She is survived by one daughter, Joy Behrens of Galesburg, IL; and one son, David Behrens of Prescott, AZ; three granddaughters, ten great grandchildren; three nieces and one nephew.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel Metzger and Ada Gantzert and one grandson, Jerry Lee Behrens.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the Schilling Funeral Home with Reverend Mark Oehlert, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to the American Cancer Society or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

NELLIE MAE SINGSHEIM
GOLDEN, CO — Nellie Mae Singsheim, 88, formerly of Sterling, died Monday, September 20, 2004. She was formerly a cook at Prince Castle and Hardees.
Nellie was born May 30, 1916 in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Robert Noah and Edith Pearl (Barker) Hay. She married John C. Singsheim on March 29, 1935 in Huron, SD. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1990. She was a former member of the Free Methodist Church of Sterling and attended Golden Nazarene Church in Golden, CO.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara (Richard) Bruder of Golden, CO; a son, David (Lori) Singsheim of Morrison, CO; two step-sisters, Dorothy Ann Hay, Judy (George) Huff of Rock Falls; a step-brother, Ron (Illa) Hay of Rock Falls; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the Schilling Funeral Home with the Reverend Donald Jamison officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Friday at the Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established.

HAZEL B. PEUGH
Hazel B. Peugh, 85, died Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at KSB Hospital.
Mrs. Peugh was born October 24, 1918 in Morrison, the daughter of Levi and Katherine (Rohde) Fletchic. She married Ralph Peugh on February 19, 1938 in Davenport, IA. He preceded her in death on August 25, 1963. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School. She was a 50-year member of the Whiteside County Home Extension, a 4H Leader with the Jordan Super Sallies, and a pink lady at CGH Medical Center.
Survivors include, one son Raymond (Donna) Peugh of Polo; two daughters Nancy Cox of Kissimmee, FL, Connie Ricklefs of Sterling; two half-sisters, Helen Harms of Dixon, Lucille Noack of Moline; two granddaughters, Debra (Mark) McComb of Valrico, FL Michelle (Scott) LaRoche of Port St. Lucie, FL and three great-grandsons, Nathaniel McComb, Craig Jackson and Scotty LaRoche.
Preceding her in death were one sister, Evelyn Linder; two brothers, Charles Fletchic, LeRoy Fletchic; and one half-brother, Lloyd Henson.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 24, 2004 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, with Reverend Philip Gronbach, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Thursday at the Schilling Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

KEITH M. ANDERSON
STERLING — Keith M. Anderson, 56, died Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at his home surrounded by family following an extended illness. He was employed at National Mfg. as a Maintenance Supervisor prior to his retirement in 2002.
Keith was born September 8, 1948 in Sterling to Everett F. “Andy” and Barbara (Pollock) Anderson. He was a 1966 graduate of Sterling High School. He married Karla Speer on September 19, 1984 in Sterling. He served in the US Army from April, 1968 to January, 1970 and was a Vietnam veteran. He loved classic cars and was an avid collector of gas station memorabilia. He was a very proud grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Karla; two daughters, Keelie (Marty Pugliese) Anderson of Plainfield, Athena (Eric) Kolodzik of Montgomery; two sons, Dustin (Shelly Clumpner) Stone of Bloomington, Brandon (Sophal Chan) Stone of Elgin; his parents, Everett and Barbara Anderson of Sterling; two sisters, Karen (Jim) Port, Connie Stewart, both of Sterling; four brothers, Bradley (JoAnn) Anderson of Torrington, WY, Kevin (Lori) Anderson of Grand Detour, Gary Anderson and Cary (Wendy) Anderson, both of Sterling; one granddaughter, Kora Kolodzik and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter and Betty (Peterson) Anderson, formerly of Sterling, and maternal grandparents, Darhal and Effie (Thome) Pollock, formerly of Rock Falls.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 18, 2004 at Sacred Heart Church in Sterling. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park with full military graveside services. Visitation is Friday, September 17, 2004 from 4-8 PM at the Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to the Home of Hope.

Maxine O. Banes
STERLING - Maxine Banes, 89, died Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at Coventry Village. She was employed by Colonial Acres for many years as an LPN, and she also worked at Nachusa Children’s Home, Dixon. She enjoyed sewing and was an avid painter.
Mrs. Banes was born October 18, 1914 in Lodi, WS., the daughter of William and Adella O’Dell. She was employed by Dixon State School in 1965, where she obtained her LPN degree. She married Harold Banes on September 30, 1938 in Clinton, IA. He preceded her in death on December 19, 1960. She was a member of Bethel Reformed Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Beverly (William) Boesen and Mary Jo (Tom) Adler, both of Sterling; three sons, David (Sandy) Banes of Rock Falls, Douglas (Jan) Banes of Mt. Carroll, and Danny Banes of Sterling; seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Three sisters and four brothers preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday, September 10, 2004 at Bethel Reformed Church with the Reverend Kenneth Zuithoff, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9-10 AM Friday, September 10, 2004 at Bethel Reformed Church. Arrangements were completed by Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to Bethel Reformed Church.

BASILIO “VASIL” PUGATCHENKO
HUSBAND OF SUSAN HELMS - FATHER OF MARCO, NIKOLAS, STEFAN
Basilio was born in Merida, Venezuela on May 11, 1948 of Ukranian parents who had recently arrived from an Austrian refuge camp. The family immigrated to New York City in 1957 when Basilio was nine years old and settled in an Ukranian community. He became an American citizen when he was 10 years old. He was an alter boy and Bishop’s aide in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Basilio attended and graduated from Pratt Institute on a soccer scholarship and received his Masters Degree from Farleigh Dickenson.
Basilio began his career with American International Group in Tulsa, OK and then moved to Chicago. His international career began in Puerto Rico and then the Bahamas, traveling all over the Caribbean.
He married Susan Helms on July 12th, 1980 in Sterling, IL and he moved to Santiago, as the general manager of AIG in Chile. In 1982, he was hired by CIGNA to start up a new office in Santiago. He was then transferred to Madrid, Spain as general manager and 2 years later moved to Paris, France, as the general manager. The family lived there for 2 years.
Next move was to Philadelphia, PA for a few years and then to Chicago, IL. In 1992, he was moved to Miami, FL with the position of regional manager for Latin America. The family remained there for 6 years and were transferred once again to Philadelphia.
In December of ’98, Basilio accepted a position with Liberty Mutual as President of the Company in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He remained there until February, 2004 until Liberty sent Basilio to Boston for medical care. He spent the last weeks of his life at his home in Rock Falls, IL.
Basilio passed away peacefully in his home on Sept. 3rd, 2004.
Basilio will be remembered for his dynamic personality.He was a semi-pro soccer player in his youth and in his later years he was an avid golfer. He took great pride in his career, but ultimately, he was grateful for the love and devotion of his family.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Helms: 3 sons: Marco, born in Tulsa, OK; Nikolas, born in Santiago, Chile & Stefan, born in Paris, France.
He will be missed by his 2 brothers, Ivan (Carol) Soloveiko and Andrei Soloveiko of New York City & 1 sister, Nina (Tony) Sienczenko of Southern New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Fania in 2001 & his father, Ivan in 2004.
Visitation will be from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7th at the Schilling Funeral Home. There will be an Eastern Orthodox service beginning at 7:30 p.m. toward the end of the visitation. A short visitation will be available from 9:30 – 10:15 Wednesday, at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8th, 2004 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rock Falls, with Pastor Daniel Behmlander officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park.
A memorial has been established to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Gladys E. Meiners
Sterling - Gladys E. Meiners, 85, died Thursday, August 12, 2004 at CGH Medical Center. She farmed for many years with her husband in the Sterling Area.
Meiners was born March 6, 1919 in Sterling, daughter of Fred and Mabel (Fredricks) Rohde. She married Gerhard O. Meiners on April 23, 1941 in Sterling. He preceded her in death on April 11, 1990. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Coleta Golden Gang, an avid card player, and enjoyed fishing.
Survivors are two daughters; Betty (Lloyd) Mull of Sterling, and Kathy (Arlyn “Lee”) Hinrichs of Chadwick; three grandchildren, Ron Mull, Andy (Lisa) Hinrichs, and Jodi Hinrichs; one sister Ruth Stern; one sister-in law Phyllis Meiners.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers Virgil and Irvin Rohde.
Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, August 16, 2004 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, with Reverend Philip Gronbach of St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at the Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling, Illinois. Visitation will be 1-4, Sunday, August 15 at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling, IL.
A memorial has been established.

Donald F. Siemers
STERLING - Donald F. Siemers, 92, of Sterling, died Friday, August 13, 2004, at Coventry Village. He was a foreman for 27 years at Frantz Manufacturing until his retirement in 1974.
Mr. Siemers was born May 9, 1912 in Chapman, NE, Son of John and Elizabeth (Miiller) Siemers. He married Leona Baasch on September 15, 1943 in Grand Island, NE. She preceded him in death on February 1, 2002. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, and lapidary.
Survivors include one daughter Gerri Taylor of CA; two nephews and three nieces, including Ann Anderson of Sterling; several grand nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Graveside services will be held at 9 a.m., Monday, August 16, 2004 at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, with Reverend Philip Gronbach of St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating.
A memorial has been established to the Alzheimer’s Association.

B. FRANKLIN "FRANK" BRESSLER
STERLING - B. Franklin "Frank" Bressler, 80, died Sunday, August 8, 2004 at his residence. He was employed as a machinist at RB&W prior to retirement in 1988 .
Mr. Bressler was born March 15, 1924 in Sterling. He was a graduate of Sterling High School class of 1942. He served in the United States Army during WWII from 1943-1946. He married Alice Stockton on June 29, 1946. She preceded him in death on May 9, 1976. He then married Doris A. Ditsch. She survives. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling American Legion and the Moose Club.
Survivors also include two daughters, Judy (William) Townsend of Belleville, and Sally (Dan) Kelly of Sterling; one step-daughter, Kathy (Donald) Wiersema of Stewart FL; one step-son, James (Yvonne) Ditsch of Harvard; two sisters, Irene (Earl) Wolf of Sterling and Jean Long of Angola, IN; one brother, Donald (Dolores) Bressler of Rock Falls; and eleven grandchildren, William F. (Dawn) Townsend, Traci (James) Miller, Jason Townsend Stephen (Dana) Kelly, Ryan (Debbi) Kelly, Kathryn Kelly, Kelli Wiersema, Daniel Wiersema, Kari Ditsch, Amanda Ditsch and Shannon Ditsch; and eight great grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his mother, Myra Dohner Bressler, his father Benjamin John Bressler and one son, Jerry, in 1985.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Reverend Philip Gronbach, pastor, officiating. Burial with Military Honors, will be at the Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Tuesday at the Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling.
A memorial has been established.